History
Generations of Service
This firm has been serving Columbus since 1905, making Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Service Columbus’ oldest Family Owned and Operated African-American mortuary. Within our community, the respect that is shown to each family we serve has allowed us to establish a reputation of dignity and trust.
In 1905, Mrs. Dollie Whittaker established the Whittaker Funeral Home, which later became known as “Mrs. D.A. Whittaker & Sons”. Located at the corner of East long Street and Hamilton Avenue, the funeral home became an important business and social institution in the community. It was operated for three generations by the Whittaker family until 1969, when it was purchased by Andrew J. Diehl, who had owned and operated a funeral home in Youngstown, Ohio.
Upon the death of Andrew in 1973, ownership and management of the firm was assumed by Richard J. Diehl, his son, who in 1977 built the currently existing facility on the site of the original Whittaker establishment; it was at this time that the firm’s name was changed to “Diehl-Whittaker”.
Ingrid M. Diehl, Richard’s daughter, joined the firm in 1995, and is the third generation of the Diehl family to serve the needs of Columbus families, ready to provide, into the next generation, compassionate care and professional service.
As funeral service professionals, we are caregivers – providing care to those who have passed on, regardless of race or ethnicity, while caring for those family members who remain. As we continue the tradition of caring service that has been maintained for more than one hundred years, we rededicate ourselves to helping you celebrate the lives of those family and friends that were such an important part of your lives.